Chapter 25
Infinity and Light
On the outskirts of the Lylat System: The armada was pressing nearer. Kaza-Miin, in his personal flagship, couldn't help but smile at the sight. If not for his helmet and mask, the operators would've seen him smile. He smiled, as the fleet of some odd fourty warships bore down on the system.
Earth, in the ruins of New York City: The city once held millions of people. It was one of the most famous places on Earth. Now, if anyone was around the ruins, they would see a giant red and silver titan tackling an equally sized dragon-like monster to the ground, then land several blows to its small head. Zenith got up off of Femigon, and faced her partner, the reptilian Salamandora. He leapt up, and executed a flying kick to the monster's face, making it fall to the ground in a heap. The other four monsters, hissed and screamed at the warrior of light venomously. Not even two minutes ago, Ultraman Zenith, aka Jim, and the Star Fox team were facing the monstrous army, brought forth by the invaders Babalu, and Faust. The two aliens looked upon the brawl, but did nothing to indicate that they would take part in it themselves. They just floated up in the air, and watched the spectacle unfold before them. The Star Fox team separated into pairs, one took on the monster Lunatyx, while the other blasted at the plant. Fox and Falco fired at Lunatyx, making the rabbit-like Kaiju roar in anger at them, and bounded after the arwings.
"Reminds me of Peppy, except on steroids." Falco jibed. Fox shook his head, but unintentionally imagined the old hare on steroids, and smiled slightly himself. The rabbit-like Kaiju fired fire-ball after fire-ball at the two arwings, each shot missing their mark. Slippy and Krystal were up against the plant-like Serazus. The giant rose was stationary, only its constricting vines were mobile, as they tried vainly to snatch the arwings out of the air. Even Slippy, the least capable pilot, easily dodged the vines.
"Hey, this guy isn't so tough for a monster." Slippy said.
"Be careful what you say, Slippy. You just might jinx it." Krystal warned. It proved her to be right; One of the vines got lucky and nabbed Slippy's arwing out of the air.
"Help, this giant weed grabbed me!" Slippy yelled. Krystal let loose a couple bolts of emerald laser fire, that promptly severed the vine from the stalk. The vine dropped limply to the ground, and Slippy was freed.
"Thanks Krystal. I thought I was a goner." The amphibian said, relief showing in his voice.
"Just be more careful next time, Slippy." Krystal said. They fired at the vines, severing them from the main body. However, whenever one was separated, another soon regrew from the stalk. "This isn't working. They just keep on coming." Slippy said.
"Aim for the stalk, maybe it has a weakness there." Krystal said. They fired, but no matter how many times they scorched the stalk, they did no apparent damage to the plant itself. Zenith was busy fending off the monster Engler, the one that reminded him of Enzyme from Guyver. It even had the same type of attacks as its animated counterpart, attacking by spitting a type of acidic saliva at him. Zenith dodged the assaults with ease, the shots being almost wild, but aimed at his general direction. Then, Zenith moved in and landed a side-chop to its insect-like head, making it stumble back a step. Zenith pressed his advantage, and delivered several punches to its face. The exoskeleton was starting to crack, and red blood seeped out. Then, in swiftness that belied its size, Engler caught one of Zenith's fists in its massive claw. The Ultra tried to pull away, but the grip was solid. Then, Engler grabbed his head, and threw him against a building. Zenith crashed against a ruined sky-scraper, and slumped to the ground. He looked up, and saw Engler bearing down at him. He reacted barely in time, as he rolled out of the way as Engler crashed into the remains of the building, bringing it down onto it. Zenith turned his attention to Serazus, the two arwings blasting at the plant. Then, the bulb lowered itself, and a type of spore was falling from the head. The two arwings were caught in the dust-shower, and were starting to lose control. Zenith reacted as fast as he could, and leapt up. He caught the two fighters in his hands, and set them down gently onto the ground, away from the fight. He them turned to the plant. He sent two shredding halos at it, which separated all of the vines from its body, and started to buzz-saw their way up the stalk, and finally, separated the bulb from the stalk. The bulb fell to the ground, and the stalk withered to the ground as well.
'Well, that's one down.' Zenith thinks to himself. He looked down at the two arwings. "Are you two alright?" he asked in his distorted voice.
"We're fine." Krystal replied, and both arwings were in the air once more.
"Good, then go give Falco and Fox a hand." Zenith said, before flying off to face off against the army once more. Zenith landed in front of Salamandora, just as he was recovering form the earlier attack. Zenith bore down on it with a fury unmatched. He tackled it to the ground, and started to beat its face with his fists, each blow making it grunt in pain. Then, it used its tails to whip Zenith in the back. The warrior of light grunted in pain and surprise, and Salamandora forced the Ultra off of him. Zenith rolled onto the ground, and stood up, facing the reptile. The monster opened its maw, and missile-like projectiles fired from it. Zenith stood there, with his fists planted on his waist as the projectiles just bounced off of his muscled form. Then, he ran and grabbed the lizard in a headlock. The lizard started to suffocate, its airway blocked. Then, it slashed at Zenith with his claws, throwing sparks from the impacts. Zenith gave a pained grunt, and released Salamandora. The two titans faced eachother, then Zenith charged. He ducked under Salamandora's swinging claws, and hoisted the lizard-like kaiju onto his shoulders. Then, he went from a fire-man carry, to actually holding the monster clean over him. He threw the monster up, and jumped as well. He summoned energy into his right hand, and swung it up. After making an impact, and the straight-edged sliced through the neck of the monster. Zenith landed on the ground, with Salamandora's headless corpse landing behind him. Fox and Falco saw this.
"That's the way!" Falco said. Just then, he was hit from behind, as one of Lunatyx's fire-balls connected with his arwing. His shield just dropped by sixty percent. He cursed, and tried for a head to head match with the rabbit-like monster. Lunatyx fired at the arwings, but the blasts were either dodged, or repelled by the magnetic effect of Falco's barrel-rolling. Then, he unleashed two nova bombs at its face. One missed, since it ducked its head. However, one did connect. It exploded against its head, and it grabbed the spot where it had been attacked, howling in pain, jumping up and down.
"Nice shot, Falco!" Fox said over his head shot.
"I don't believe it, but I think I just made ugly over there even more ugly." Falco replied. Lunatyx looked up, rage burning in its eyes. It was just about to fire more of its fire-balls at them, when it was attacked from behind with more Nova bombs. It whirled, and saw two more arwings bearing down at it.
"Krystal, Slippy! Are you two alright?" Fox asked.
"We're fine, Fox. How about you?" Krystal asked, smiling.
"We've been better." Falco replied. Just then, several fire-balls whizzed past them. They all looked down and saw Lunatyx preparing to fire another volley. Just then, Zenith came in, and kicked it in its face, making it stumble back. Its face was met with a cross, followed by another cross, and finally an upper-cut, sending it reeling back. Finally, Zenith did a jump-kick that sent it crashing to the ground. Zenith got into a battle stance, daring Lunatyx to stand back up. The team watched this from the air.
"Ya know, I get the impression he's trying to impress you, Krystal." Falco teased.
'I heard that, stool-pigeon!' Zenith shouted through his telepathy. Krystal laughed to herself. Lunatyx stood back up, and Engler pulled itself out of the rubble of the ruined building it crashed into. It joined its comrade, and stared down at Zenith, screaming their rage at the warrior. At that moment, something struck Zenith from behind, and he went crashing down. He looked up, and saw the avian Midoch take its place beside its three larger comrades. Just as Zenith got back up, He was assaulted from behind again as fire-balls detonated against his back. Femigon had recovered, and stood beside Lunatyx. The four monsters stood side by side, and screeched bloody murder at the Ultra, demanding vengeance for their fallen. Zenith recovered, and got back into his battle stance.
"Four against one is hardly fair." Slippy said, as his arwing floated beside Zenith. Just then, Zenith saw the other arwings do the same thing. He looked at them, and nodded. He faced the four monsters, and charged once more. He grabbed Lunatyx and Femigon in a clothes-line, and tackled them to the ground. He landed blow after blow on both of them. The two monsters knocked him off of them, and Zenith rolled back up to face them. Just as they were bearing down on him, the Star Fox team acted, sending charged shots and nova bombs their way. Explosions erupted around them, as the fighters made their runs. Then, the four-man team separated into pairs again, and each attacked a monster. Krystal and Fox assaulted Femigon, while Falco and Slippy kept Midoch company. Zenith focused on Lunatyx and Engler. The two kaiju rushed the warrior of light, who nimbly leapt up, and aerial-somersaulted out of harm's way. He landed behind them, and struck his battle stance. The two monsters whirled to face him, realizing that their target was not there. Zenith made a 'come hither' gesture with his hands, and both monsters answered. They charged again, and Zenith charged as well, he collided with them, and they nearly knocked him back, but he held his ground. They grabbed him, and swung him around. However, he broke their hold on him, and gave Lunatyx a kick to the stomach, making him fall back, and two crosses to Engler's face, making him stumble back. Then, like with Salamandora, he hoisted the monster up, but instead of throwing him up in the air, he chucked him at Lunatyx, who was just getting back on his feet. Engler collided with Lunatyx, and both fell in a heap.
In the air, Midoch was after Falco and Slippy, flying as fast as the arwings themselves. However, it could not catch up to them, at first. Slowly, but surely, it started to go faster and faster.
"I don't believe it, it's starting to catch up to us." Falco said.
"What do we do now?" Slippy asked.
"We can't speed up, might as well slow down!" Falco said, as he decelerated to a dead stop, with Slippy stopping right beside him. Midoch flew past them, seeing too lat that the fighters had stopped. The arwings started back up again, and pursued the avian. They fired their lasers and charged shots, scorching its flesh and making it shriek in pain from the assault.
On the ground, Femigon was shooting fire-ball after fire-ball at Fox and Krystal. The fighters nimbly dodged the shots, while firing their own emerald lasers at the dragon-like kaiju. Femigon roared her displeasure, her cackle-like cry echoing through the air.
"Jeez, what a sore loser." Fox said.
"Well, she doesn't like it when her prey fights back." Krystal said.
"'She'? How do you know it's a she?" Fox asked.
"A girl can tell. That's all." Krystal replied, grinning from ear to ear. They continued their assault, while Femigon tried to bring down the arwings. In the air, Babalu and Faust looked upon the spectacle, frowning on the inside.
"These guys are proving to be more resilient than we thought, Babalu." Faust replied, all trace of amusement gone from his voice.
"I believe that it is time that we intervened, personally, Faust." Babalu replied in a cold tone. Then, both invaders grew to their giant size, and looked over to where Zenith was punching the day-lights out of Lunatyx. Babalu came in with a jump kick to Zenith's face, flooring him to the ground. Zenith got back up to face the invader, but was floored once more by several energy blasts exploding around him. Faust landed next to Babalu. Both villains looked at eachother, then back to Zenith. Zenith uneasily got back up, having been caught off guard by the sudden assault. Faust leapt up, and tackled Zenith to the ground. He dragged him up, and started to rain down punches onto his face. A cross sent Zenith to the ground, and Faust mercilessly kicked him in the sides.
"Hey, leave some for me." Babalu said. Faust backed away, and Zenith got to his feet, just to be knocked down by a drop-kick, courtesy of Babalu. Babalu then brandished his forearm blade, and started to slash at Zenith. Each slash making contact with his armored hide. Zenith grunted and groaned in pain from each strike. Krystal was watching this, and stepped in. She fired her charged-shots at the invader, each one hitting their mark. They exploded against the invader's armor, and threw sparks from where they impacted. Babalu whirled, and actually caught Krystal's arwing out of the air. He held in a vice-like grip, the arwing unable to escape.
"Krystal!" Fox shouted. Zenith looked up in time to see Babalu start to exert pressure on the fighter. Growling with effort, Zenith got back on his feet, and charged up his Spacium Kousen. Before he could execute it, he was attacked from behind, and knocked down. Then, he felt powerful claws grab him by the arms, and saw Engler and Lunatyx hoist him to his feet. Faust came forward, and cracked his knuckles. Babalu looked at the arwing, and said "You will watch this.", his voice full of spite. Faust assaulted the young warrior of light, and did not do it mercifully. Punch after kick after chop after blow, he made Zenith pay for defeating him. For a full minute, he assaulted the Ultra, Zenith's warning light starting to flash at a steady pace. Faust backed away from him, Zenith Bending over, his body hurt and painful from the ruthless beating he received from the dark Ultra. Then, Babalu came forward, and brandished his forearm blade menacingly. He slashed and stabbed without mercy, making the Ultra bleed light on various parts of his body. With a final swing, He left a deep, ugly gash on his chest, making the Ultra scream in pain. Krystal gasped when he saw this, her hands to her mouth. Babalu looked at Krystal, and if it were possible, he would be smiling evilly at her. Of course, Krystal could feel his glee emanating from him, like a noxious gas. "And now, princess, the coup de grace; letting you, watch him die." he said, spitting the last word. He raised his blade high, and was about to bring it down upon the Ultra's neck, who was panting heavily at this point. He looked up, and stared at oblivion on the face. Only one word escaped Krystal's mouth ;"JIIIIIIIMMMM!"
Just then, a flash of light came from above them, and twin balls of light descended from the heavens. The crashed down to the ruined Earth, making the two monsters fall away from Zenith, and the invader and Dark Ultra fly back as well. Babalu let go of Krystal at that moment, and the fighter was sent in a free-fall. Krystal shut her eyes, and awaited for the inevitable. She felt herself stop, and peeked out of one eye. She opened both eyes, and saw that she was in mid-air. She looked up, ad her jaw dropped at what she saw. Babalu and Faust recovered from the sudden attack, and looked at what it was that landed. What they saw, sent icy tendrils to their hearts. Fox, Slippy, and Falco looked on in awe at the new arrivals, while Zenith looked up, and felt relief and assuredness swell within his being. Standing in front of them, were two more Ultras. One was red and silver, like Zenith, except the facial design was different, being more streamlined, with streaks of red on the sides of the head and face. The other one was blue and silver, Mostly blue, with silver showing slightly underneath, with horn-like protrusions on the side of his silver head. The blue was holding the arwing in an open hand. Krystal took off, with the Ultras watching her. She rejoined the team, and looked at the other Ultras. Zenith knew them by name.
"Mebius! Hikari!" he shouted, weakly. They turned, and made their way to their fallen brother in arms.
"Zenith! Are you alright?" Mebius asked.
"I'll live, nii-san." Zenith replied. Mebius helped him up to his feet.
"Don't worry, we'll share our energy with you." Hikari replied. Both Ultras took two steps back from Zenith, and their warning lights flashed. Then, blue energy poured from them, and into Zenith's. Immediately, his warning light stopped flashing, and all of the cuts on his body were healed, as well as the soreness that was spread throughout. He nodded at both of them, and both Mebius and Hikari returned the gesture.
"Impossible! How are you two here?" a familiar voice shrieked. The three warriors of light turned, and saw both Faust and Babalu facing them. It was Hikari who answered.
"The same way that you did, invader. However, you will not leave the same way. This time, I will personally make sure that you die, here and now!" With that, Hikari got into his battle stance, and lunged at Babalu. He tackled him to the ground and rained down blows onto him. Mebius and Zenith both rushed at Faust, tried to shield himself, but failed. They body-checked him, and he was sent flying several hundred meters away. After he recovered, he ordered his monster to attack. Engler and Midoch attacked the two warriors, while Faust kicked Hikari off of Babalu. The invaders recovered, and tried a counter attack.
"SLAUGHTER THEM!" they both shouted at once. As soon as that was said, the four monsters bore down on the three Ultras.
"Nii-san, let's show them who it is that they are dealing with." Zenith said. Both Ultras nodded at the younger member. The three of them got into their combat stances, and rushed at the four monsters. Zenith got Engler in a headlock, Mebius grabbed Lunatyx, and rolled onto his back, and used the momentum to propel the kaiju into another building. Then, Mebius leapt onto the monster, and rained down punches and chops. Hikari leapt up over Femigon, and grabbed her tail. After trying vainly to shake the warrior of light off, Femigon found herself being dragged across the ground, and then was spinning around. After several moments, Hikari let go, and Femigon was sent flying into more ruined buildings. Zenith was punching Engler repeatedly in its insect-like face. After Engler tried vainly to swipe at Zenith with its claws, it tried its acidic saliva once more. It spat the projectiles out, only to have Zenith evade them. Whatever it was that the projectiles hit, turned to foam on contact. Midoch was busy with the arwings. No matter how fast they got, it always matched them, speed for speed.
"Fox, get this guy off of me!" Slippy wailed. Fox McCloud swung in from behind, and took potshots at the avian. However, the emerald lasers weren't doing much good against its scaly hide. Midoch snapped at Slippy and Falco, but it missed them. However, its beak was getting a little too close for comfort. Just then, a bright blue beam shot out from beneath Midoch, and collided with the creature. It was engulfed of a giant fireball, and turned to ashes. The team looked down, and saw Hikari in his Hikari Shot stance. They nodded at him, and he returned the gesture. Just then, Femigon tackled Hikari to the ground, and pinned him. Hikari tried to force the dragon-like kaiju off, but it was no use. It started to lunge forward with its head, in the hopes of biting his own head off. Then, several nova bombs detonated against its back, making the monster wail in pain. Hikari kicked the kaiju off of it, and got back up. He looked up, and saw the Star Fox team flying by. He nodded at them.
"Now, we're even." Falco said. Hikari turned his attention back to Femigon. He ran at the monster, and grabbed it into a choke-hold. Then, he kicked its main body, and actually did a shoulder toss, sending it crashing onto more ruined buildings several hundred meters away. Femigon stumbled to her feet, and Hikari charged up his famous finisher; he threw his right hand up into the air, where blue energy crackled into his Knight Brace. Then, he brought his right hand down, with the left hand meeting it at the wrist, forming an 'X' shape over his chest. A moment later, he brought his arms up into a plus shape, with the right hand vertical, and the left hand behind the right horizontally. His Hikari Shot fired, and struck Femigon in the chest. The monster howled in pain as the beam seared its flesh. When the beam died, Femigon let out a weak warble, and fell forward, exploding into tiny flaming fragments. Hikari nodded in satisfaction. Mebius was punching Lunatyx in the face repeatedly, then hip-tossed it to the ground. Lunatyx got back up, and fired its eye-ball blasts at the warrior. Mebius evaded them with ease, rolling away to one side. Then, as Lunatyx still fired, Mebius executed back-flip after back-flip. He came up, and fired his Mebium Arrow at it, making the monster stumble back. Mebius decided to finish this. He placed his right hand over the Mebium Brace on his left forearm. He threw his arms out, cross style, and slowly brought them over his head, the Mebius symbol glowing in between his hands. A moment later, he fired his Mebium Shot, his arms in a plus shape, as the gold and white beam punctured the monster's hide, and exploded out the other side. Lunatyx screamed in pain, and exploded into flaming debris. Mebius stood back up, and let out a sigh of relief. Zenith delivered a spin-kick to Engler, followed by another. Then, he placed a cross to its face, making it stumble back to a knee. Zenith executed a spin-kick to its face, making it fall to the ground. Zenith hoisted the monster clean over him, and chucked him into more ruined buildings. Engler uneasily stumbled out. Zenith threw his right arm into the air, where light and energy gathered into it. He swung it down, shouting "SPACIUMMU-" then, he placed his arms into a cross shape, and shouted "KOUSEN!" As soon as he said it, the powerful blue/white beam fired form the edge of his hand, and connected with Engler. After several moments of contact, the monster promptly exploded. Zenith stood straight up, fists clenched. Then, the three Ultras turned their attention to the invaders, who were starting to back away from them.
"No-no way. Our four monsters…defeated just like that…" Faust started. Babalu was used to seeing Ultras trump kaiju like this. But, it never ceased to irk him so, especially now.
"Faust, let's retreat for now. We have to tell Kaza-Miin who showed up here."
"Right."
"Oh, no you don't!" Zenith shouted. Just as the two invaders were about to fly away, Zenith let loose his Spacium Kousen upon them, bringing them back to the ground. They winced, and struggled to rise. Once they got back up, they were met with more energy based attacks. Babalu and Faust were floored instantly.
"That's IT!" Faust shouted. His eyes started to glow red, and he charged at the three Ultras. Babalu pulled out his staff, and went in swinging. Mebius and Hikari took on Babalu, evading his staff, while summoning their Mebium and Knight Blades from their braces. Zenith took on the enraged Faust. Both of them traded blows, but neither was able to overcome the other. Then, Zenith pulled away, and switched to is 'Powered' form, and engaged Faust that way. Mebius and Hikari, despite having the advantage in numbers, found it difficult to land a blow on their target. No matter how they tried, Babalu always dodged, and evaded. Soon, he was striking at them with his staff, and they were connecting. He slashed Hikari with the prong end, sending him flying back, while Mebius got a dose of both of his fore-arm blaster, and a whack from the mace end from his staff, the assault sending him flying back as well. Both Ultras stood back up, while Babalu taunted them.
"Is this really the best that you two got? If my memory is correct, you guys were a lot stronger than this. Show me what you really got!"
'Wish granted.' Hikari thought. He raised his right hand skyward, shouting "AAARRRRRBBUU!" Then, a shimmering shape descended from the sky. It was like several crystals circling and floating around a sphere of light. When it made contact with Hikari, there was a bright flash, and Hikari was engulfed in light. When it subsided, he was wearing what looked like to be some type of armor. His head, chest, and various places on his arms and legs looked like they were sheathed in a blue and white covering. His eyes were covered, making it look like he had a helmet on. He took a new battle stance at Babalu. Mebius nodded, and also decided to step his game up a notch. He placed his Mebium Brace over his heart, where it glowed red. Then, flames danced out of it, and it encompassed his form. After a crimson flash, Mebius went from mostly silver with red streaks, to having red almost cover his body, as well as having a golden flame design adorned his chest. The Star Fox team did not know this, but Babalu knew that Mebius converted to his Burning Brave form, and Hikari summoned his Armor of Heroes, becoming the new Hunter Knight Tsurugi. The invader felt his heart sink. He lashed out with his staff, only to have Tsurugi catch it with his bare right hand. He shoved Babalu away, and snapped the weapon over his knee. Then, Mebius assaulted Babalu with a fury of punches and kicks. Then, he hoisted the invader over him, and threw him into some ruined buildings.
Zenith was still fighting Faust, but the odds were completely in his favor. He blocked and countered every move that the Dark ultra threw at him. Faust tried for a cross, but Zenith caught it, and twisted his hand, hearing an audible snap, making Faust shout in pain. Then, he launched several jabs at Faust's midsection, making him double over, and a round-house kick to his abs, sending him back, and landing next to Babalu. Both invaders struggled to their feet.
"Guys, let's go for a triple attack!" Zenith said to Tsurugi and Mebius. Both Ultras nodded in agreement. Tsurugi raised his right hand, energy gathering into it, much like Hikari's Hikari Shot. Mebius placed his Brace over his heart, where flames started to emanate from it. Then, he placed his arms out, cross style. Zenith placed both arms over his head, the arms meeting at the wrist, and flashing yellow. Babalu and Faust tried to escape, but were severely weakened, Faust's warning light was flashing now, and he could hardly stand up, with Babalu feeling the same way. Tsurugi had gathered enough energy, and like Hikari's finisher, he placed his hands over his chest, while Mebius started to bring his hands to his chest, his hands meeting at the palms, cupping a large ball of red, flaming energy that was generated from the flame design on his chest. Zenith brought his finger-tips to his warning light, where golden light swirled into it. He placed his left arm straight out, while he kept his right arm bent up at the elbow, his hand outstretched. Zenith shouted "MEGANIUMMU-", and brought his left arm to meet the right arm, the hand closed into a fist, connecting with the inside of the right fore-arm.
"KOUSEN!" As soon as Zenith shouted this, a golden beam of energy erupted from his fore-arm, going from his elbow, to his finger-tips. Mebius threw the energy ball he had been generating at the two aliens, while Tsurugi executed his Knight Shot, the beam executed the same manner as Hikari's Hikari Shot, the multi-colored beam impacting both of the invaders the same time as the Meganium Kousen and Mebium Burst did. Just then, when the three finishers impacted against the two invaders, it looked like a miniature sun rose up in the middle of the ruins of New York City. A large explosion and light engulfed the two aliens, one that everyone present was sure that there was no way that they could possibly survive. After a loud explosion and blinding flash subsided moments later, all that was left of the aliens, was a crater that was several hundred meters in diameter. The three warriors of light dropped their poses, and stood upright once more. Their warning lights were flashing as they reverted back to their normal selves. Zenith looked to Mebius, and nodded in appreciation, which Mebius returned. He then turned to Hikari, and did the same thing, and the same gesture was returned. The Star Fox team could only stare at the spectacle that unfolded before them. First, two new Ultras showed up, and helped out Jim, then, they powered up, and unleashed hell upon the monsters and aliens. They were pretty much speechless at what they saw. Then, Zenith turned to the team, and said in his telepathic voice 'Shall we go? My friends here have something they would like to discuss with me.'
"Uhhhhhh, sure, why not?" Fox managed. He had dozens, if not hundreds, of questions for the two Ultras, the biggest ones on his mind right now being how they got here, and what their intentions are. Of course, the rest of the team had the same thing in mind. Zenith nodded, and flew up into the sky, followed by Mebius and Hikari. Then, the Star Fox team joined them.
In orbit around Earth: Zenith, Mebius, and Hikari were nearing the Great Fox. Peppy, who had been monitoring the situation, opened the forcefield for the three Ultras. They shrunk, and entered the docking bay, followed by the Star Fox team. The arwings landed on the docking ports, and the team jumped out of their fighters. They made their way to the three Ultras. Zenith reverted back to his human form of Jim, and the other two did like-was; Mebius reverted back to his human form of Mirai Hibino, who looked like an 18 year-old kid with a yellow jacket, jeans, and long, combed hair. Hikari reverted back to his human form of Serizawa Modikawa, who looked middle-aged, and wore a black over-coat, with a black shirt, pants, and boots. Both were of Japanese descent, unlike Jim. When the team saw them, they gasped, even though they probably saw this coming. Other than Jim, these people were the first humans that they had seen. Or, at least, they looked human, but like Jim, there was far more to them than meets the eye. Jim made the introductions, stating that these two Ultras were sent here to back him up. The two Ultras concurred with him.
"How did you guys get here?" Falco asked.
"When we were told to come to this reality by our commander, we reopened the portal that connected our world with this one. I think that Zenith explained that to you." Mirai stated. They nodded. Jim did say that his race did possess the ability to transverse dimensions, but didn't tell them, save for Krystal, much else. Peppy, who arrived shortly after the arwings landed, was standing in front of the team, facing the three Ultras.
"Is that the real reason why you two are here?" he asked.
"Actually, we were instructed by our commander to report to Zenith, and to receive special instructions from him." Serizawa replied. Jim turned to face them, puzzlement evident on his face.
"What are you talking about, nii-san?" he asked.
"Is there someplace private that we could talk?" the older asked. Jim nodded. He led the two Ultras out of the hangar, followed closely by the team. He escorted him to his quarters, and locked the door behind them. The team tried to listen in, but the door and walls were soundproof, like all of the rooms. Then, the team made their way to the command head. There, Fox switched to the security camera feed that was in Jim's room. The three Ultras were conversing with eachother, but silently, due to the audio feed being turned off. Fox activated it, and the conversation was heard.
"You seem to have it pretty nice here, nii-san." Mirai said, sitting down on the bed.
"Especially since you have to be around such…interesting company." Serizawa said, smiling slightly. Jim nodded in agreement.
"One thing I don't get, why haven't we heard of this type of race beforehand? I know that we have seen stranger life-forms before, but, nothing like these guys." Mirai continued
"Probably because they didn't show up, until recently. Remember, not many Ultras came here before Sheja did, and he didn't reveal a whole lot to anyone else." Jim replied. The way he talked, was like he was not a member of the team, rather, an observer, which he probably was for all they knew. Jim told them everything about his race, and how they traveled in between dimensions. The only thing he didn't tell them was, minus Krystal, how he unleashed Gorzul in the first place. To them, now, he didn't seem like a real member of the team, rather, he was just there to lend a hand whenever they needed it.
"Do they know, though?" Serizawa asked. Jim looked at him, and shook his head.
"Know what?" Falco asked out loud. Fox shook his head, indicating he didn't know either.
"Probably for the better then. After all, I think that is part of the reason why we are here." Serizawa said. He pulled out a small device, and activated it, making it flash continuously. However, before anything else could happen, Serizawa whirled, and was looking right at the security camera.
"I do believe that we are being monitored." he said, smirking. Jim looked up, and saw the security cam hidden in the air duct. He went over to it, opened the grating, and pulled the cap over the lens, and switched off the feed video and audio feed. The rest of the team seemed rather deflated at this.
"Well, looks like Jim had another agenda." Peppy said. Krystal looked up at the blank screen.
'What else are you hiding, Jim?' she wondered. Back in Jim's quarters, Jim and the other two Ultras stood back, as a holographic image of Zoffy rematerialized before them.
"Garrison member Zenith. Once you have received this message, Mebius and Hikari would have joined you in the reality that you are in, as well as my agreement. You are right, no race should have to be sacrificed, no matter what the reason." Jim smiled at this openly, while Zoffy continued. "I have sent these two for a couple of reasons. The first, is to aide you in your endeavors in this reality, and the other, is to collect as much information as possible on these people. I'm not doubting your reports, far from it. Rather, I feel the need to get a second, and third, opinion to sway the council's mind. I think it may be hopeless, but, as you well know, we never give up in the face of any adversary. I wish you luck in this assignment, and before you ask, yes, this does mean that your previous assignment has been terminated, in favor of the new one of preserving this race. May the Light of Ultra always shine down on you." As the holograph faded, Jim couldn't help but smile ear to ear. It worked, Zoffy was on his side now. That means, that the Ultra Brothers will be backing him up as well. And he feels that he'll need it, in the near future. He looked to Mirai, and Serizawa, before shouting "YATTA!" The other two Ultras smiled openly.
"This is it! The first step! With you guys here, and the Ultra Brothers backing us, he have a chance now!" Jim said excitedly.
"We agree with you, nii-san. Zoffy came to us, just shortly after hearing of the meeting between the council, and Lillith, regarding your own conversation with her." Mirai said. Jim remembers that conversation well. "He found us, and told us to aide you in any way that we possibly can. Also, when the time comes, which he believes it will, us Brothers, as well as the Garrison, will support you all the way." he finalized. Jim nodded in agreement.
"There's so much to do. We need to find you two disguises, and then, arhgg, this is all happening at once." he said, collapsing into his chair. Now that he knows that Zoffy and the rest will support him, now what? They will have to brush up on study of the Lylat System, and quick. But, how? They can't really stay here. But he can't throw them out, either.
"Don't worry, nii-san." Mirai assured. "We will do, what we always do when we face a new race; hid just outside of their system, and gather intelligence the old fashioned way. And then, once enough information has been gathered, we will head down there, disguised as them and gather as much Intel as we possibly can. Remember, that's how Zoffy and Taro trained us." Jim felt relieved. Of course, that would be the way for them to gather information. And also, they'll be able to help eachother on the side, whenever they needed it. He just hopes that, his teammates won't wise up to the previous mission that he was assigned. If they thought him unleashing Gorzul was bad, then this one would probably make them think of him as a traitor.
"Alright, we have a plan. Let's see if we can't execute it." Jim said, standing up. The two Ultras nodded. They converted to their Ultra forms, and teleported out of the room, and into space. After turning into balls of light, they flew off into space. Jim made his way to the door, but was stopped short by Krystal standing in the door-way. She had a rather determined look on her face, and Jim knew what that meant.
"What else are you hiding from us? What is really going on here?" she demanded.
"What happens between me and my superiors is my business, and mine alone." he stated plainly.
"Not anymore. Jim, you don't need to hide anything from us. You can tell us."
"No I can't. Not this time."
"Why not?" she asked, folding her arms across her chest, her brow furrowing.
"Because if I did, then all of you will be put in more danger than now."
"From Gorzul?" she asked. Jim leaned in close, and whispered into her ear "There are worse monsters out there than Gorzul, I assure you." The way he said it, was almost akin to a threat. He made his way past her, and she stood there, frozen to the spot, wondering what all her 'close friend' was hiding.